Meeting the challenge of multiple academic roles through a nursing center practice model

Filling the multiple requirements of academic life--to teach, to conduct research, and to give service to the community--can be difficult for any academician. When the educator is also a nurse, meshing academic life with that of a practicing professional adds to the difficulties. Maintaining control and managing resources for practice can be time consuming and wearisome. The authors use quotes from the sociologist Paul Starr to describe and examine this professional dilemma. The process they followed in implementing a practice model in a community nursing center is described. Using this approach teaching, research, and service requirements were blended with practice for greater professional control and more productive scholarly endeavors.